Kelli Burt and Emma Stanford are well aware of that balance, so in taking over the Sandpoint Farmers’ Market, they said it’s all about keeping the market’s core values strong while kicking everything up a notch.

“We’re really enthusiastic about breathing new life into the market,” said Burt, the Market Manager.

Burt said the Sandpoint Farmers’ Market is a producer-based market, meaning the farmers and artisans have been with their products — whether they sell produce, jewelry, bread, etc. — from start to finish. Burt said it’s important to the integrity of the market that vendors aren’t selling goods they didn’t produce.

“No one is opposed to change within the market, but we’re definitely keeping our core values of being producer based and keeping high-quality goods,” Burt said. “All of these farmers have been with their vegetables since the beginning. It’s really special to shake the hand of the people growing the food you buy.”

When it comes to breathing in “new life,” Burt said she and Stanford are focused largely on new live music and food vendors. The idea, she said, is to make the market a one-stop-shop for produce, entertainment and a quick bite.

“We absolutely want the musicians who have been playing there for years and years, but we also want to incorporate new options because there are a lot of new bands in Sandpoint,” she said. “And vendor-wise, we want more food vendors. We want (the market) to be a place you can come with your family, sit down and eat.”

Stanford, the market’s Community Outreach Manager, said she’d encourage anyone who wants to be a vendor to apply. As of now, 70 vendors are signed up for this season, but Burt said she anticipates 100 will participate at the height of summer. Stanford said part of freshening up the market is getting new producers involved.

“We have lots of long-term goals, which is exciting,” Stanford said. “Not all of them will happen this market (season), but we’re looking forward and looking to grow with Sandpoint.”

The Sandpoint Farmers’ Market is every Wednesday and Saturday at Farmin Park starting May 5 and ending Oct. 13. Wednesday markets are 3-5:30 p.m. and Saturdays are 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Some markets will have special events incorporated. This Saturday, for instance, is a “Welcome to Spring” celebration. Sandpoint Waldorf School will host a May Pole starting at 9:30 a.m. and Ben Olson and Cadie Archer will provide the music. Other key dates are Customer Appreciation Day on June 9, the market’s 30th anniversary on July 14, Kid’s Day on Aug.18 and Taste of Market on Sept. 8. For a full list of updated special events, as well as the vendor application, visit www.sandpointfarmersmarket.com

“It’s a chance to sit down and see everyone in town,” Stanford said. “It’s a great way to get a taste of the community.”

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Pick up this week's Reader for the lowdown on Winter Carnival Week 2 — including the Weird & Wonderful Pub Crawl and K9 Keg Pull — as well as news, opinion, Emily Articulated, an interview with new downtown shop Wolf & Bell and so much more.

Grab a print copy around town or look under "Reader in Print" on sandpointreader.com to find the digital copy.

Dubbed “The Man of 10,000 Sound Effects,” Michael Winslow has appeared in such comedy classics as “Spaceballs,” “Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie" and of course, as “Motormouth Jones” in the “Police Academy” films. Aside from acting, he is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of beatboxing.

He’ll be showcasing his unique brand of comedy at the 219 Lounge for two days on Friday, Feb. 22 and Saturday, Feb. 23.

Read an interview between Winslow and our publisher Ben — an interview Ben described as his "favorite" of all time — at sandpointreader.com. ... See MoreSee Less

Community Calendars

Community Calendars

This week in Sandpoint: Our town’s biggest party of the season kicks off Friday with the Sandpoint Winter Carnival‘s sweet Parade of Lights through downtown. And that just gets things started. See all events on this week, Feb. 11-17:

Sandpoint in Pictures

Sandpoint in Pictures

November’s Sandpoint in Pictures winner. There is a touching sentiment behind this photo, which captured November’s photo contest prize. And a new contest is in full swing for December, too. Submit a photo, see local pics, and vote at SandpointPictures.com»

Sports and Outdoors

Meet the Reader

Ever wonder who makes the Reader happen? Here’s a behind-the-scenes look pieced together by summer 2017 intern McCalee Cain in which Ben, Cameron and Lyndsie explain what exactly about the Reader keeps them coming back to their shabby (but well–loved) office each week.

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